Ethan stepped out upon hearing Pepper’s voice.
“I’m Ethan.
Where’s Tony’s thing?
Just give it to me.”
Pepper looked at the seventeen-year-old boy before her, unsure of his connection to Tony, but politely handed over a black metal slab about the size of a mobile phone.
After confirming that the man who opened the door was Ethan’s father, she said, “So you’re Daniel Chen.
I understand you’re planning to start a logistics company.
Tony has authorized me to handle all the paperwork—we can take care of everything for you.”
Daniel knew his son was a famous writer and knew Tony Stark, but he hadn’t expected Tony to send someone so quickly.
He hurriedly invited Pepper inside.
Emily Chen brought drinks and led Chloe away.
Ethan stayed by Hannah’s side, whispering to her.
Hannah was surprised to learn the visitor was from Stark Industries.
She whispered, “How does your family know Tony Stark?”
“Dad doesn’t know Tony.
I do.
We’re business partners,” Ethan explained.
Seeing Hannah’s astonishment, Ethan told her he was the author of Harry Potter and a shareholder in Stark Industries.
Hannah’s face was full of shock.
Recovering, Hannah quickly asked, “I almost forgot—what did you do to those thugs last night?
And how?
And what about those bear-paw pads on your hands?”
Ethan had no intention of hiding anything.
“I’m a superpowered individual.
Those thugs got sent into the river to the west.
They won’t be hurt.
The pads on my hands are the source of my power.
What, are you disgusted by them?”
Hannah immediately hugged him.
“Of course not!
They’re actually really cute—soft to the touch.
I like them.” She reached out and touched the pads on his hands.
Ethan finally felt relieved.
Though he knew the pads probably weren’t a big problem, he’d still worried—he’d been looked down on as a child because of them, which was why he’d started wearing gloves.
Now Hannah started to worry.
She hugged him and asked softly, “You’re so amazing.
I’m just an ordinary girl.
If you meet a better girl later, will you get tired of me?” She lowered her head.
“Silly girl.
In our family, any relationship that doesn’t aim for marriage is just messing around.
Do I look like someone who messes around?
As long as you don’t leave me, I’ll spend my whole life with you.”
Ethan had already made up his mind.
The Marvel world was full of beautiful women—Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, even Pepper—but none were his type.
He wanted someone like Hannah—ordinary, devoted to him completely, a girl who would be a good wife and mother.
Could you imagine Black Widow staying home to cook for you?
Of course, Ethan also craved excitement.
He’d already figured out how he wanted to live.
He was definitely going to join the Avengers.
With his foreknowledge, he wouldn’t be in real danger.
He could also use their influence to protect his family.
Since his powers would inevitably be exposed, he’d have to choose between S.H.I.E.L.D.
and HYDRA.
He chose the Avengers.
Tony already knew he existed.
When danger came, Tony would think of his power and invite him.
Joining through Tony would make everything natural.
When he wanted excitement, he could fight.
When tired, he could return to Hannah’s warmth.
Just like Hawkeye in Age of Ultron.
And by joining only the Avengers, not S.H.I.E.L.D., he’d have even more freedom.
The only thing he couldn’t match was how well Hawkeye hid his family.
Ethan didn’t have that ability, so he’d have to protect his family carefully.
While Ethan and Hannah whispered, Daniel and Pepper finished their discussion.
She declined lunch and left to report back to Tony.
Emily Chen started cooking, and Hannah went to help.
Even Chloe ran to the kitchen to make trouble.
Ethan and his father sat on the sofa, chatting idly as they waited for the meal.
The lunch was warm and pleasant.
Daniel and Emily Chen were both pleased with Hannah.
Even little Chloe praised her future sister-in-law.
After the meal, Ethan prepared to take Hannah home and meet her mother and brother.
Emily Chen packed some gifts for him and gave him reminders: be safe, be polite.
Then she watched them leave.
They took a taxi to Hannah’s house.
Hannah leaned against Ethan, feeling like everything since last night was a dream.
She’d been lonely, without many friends.
Now she had a handsome, wealthy boyfriend who was serious about marrying her.
She couldn’t hide her smile.
Ethan felt proud—making a woman happy was a man’s skill, wasn’t it?
Just need to conquer her physically.
Sexual compatibility matters too.
But with a body at peak human condition and everything working well, I doubt many can compete.
Ethan’s thoughts turned shameless.
His face showed a slightly lecherous grin, earning him a glare from Hannah.
Midway, the taxi passed an electronics mall.
Ethan stopped the car, pulled Hannah out, and bought new phones for himself and Hannah.
He also bought a phone and a game console for Hannah’s little brother.
Hannah initially refused—in America, unmarried couples usually didn’t exchange gifts like that.
But Ethan insisted, arguing they weren’t just boyfriend and girlfriend but engaged.
She finally agreed.
At Hannah’s house, everything went smoothly.
Her mother was warm and welcoming—the classic mother-in-law approving of her daughter’s boyfriend.
Her little brother was hostile at first, feeling Ethan had stolen his sister, but the gifts quickly won him over.
After dinner, Ethan said goodbye and went home.
Two hours later, he couldn’t resist missing Hannah and sent her a text.
She missed him too.
They agreed to meet up and go shopping in Broadway.
They embraced deeply on the street, like they’d been apart for ages.
Passersby shot them curious looks.
They wandered around, bought some trinkets, and finally found a café to rest.
Over coffee, they talked about everything.
Hannah looked at the boy before her and knew she’d never be able to leave him.
She smiled from the bottom of her heart.
Ethan saw her smile and guessed what she was thinking.
He smiled back.
A warm, intimate atmosphere rose between them.
Their hands slowly intertwined under the table.